San Francisco Giants announce 25-man roster for playoff series

SAN FRANCISCO — The Giants went with 12 pitchers on their 25-man roster for the National League Division Series and, as expected, Barry Zito was among them.

Zito was left off the roster for the entire 2010 postseason, but went 15-8 this season.

The decision to keep 12 pitchers was good news for relievers Guillermo Mota and George Kontos too. Manager Bruce Bochy had hinted for days that he was leaning toward keeping just 11 pitchers, but chose both Mota and Kontos.

"I'm thrilled," said Kontos, a rookie. "It's obviously something I was hoping would happen. I feel I contributed and I'm glad I'll get to contribute in the postseason as well."

The Giants will go with a five-man bench: Aubrey Huff, Ryan Theriot, Hector Sanchez, Joaquin Arias and Xavier Nady. Huff was added as a pinch-hitter, but Bochy elected not to keep a runner for Huff, who has twice been on the disabled list with knee problems. Theriot could serve as a pinch-runner.

Bochy also announced that Gregor Blanco will start in left field on Saturday as part of the regular lineup against right-handers, which includes Brandon Crawford and Brandon Belt.